Madison Chock and Evan Bates recently faced a tough moment at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where they earned silver in ice dancing. Their score came under fire after judge Jezabel Dabouis ranked their performance nearly eight points lower than that of the French duo, Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron, resulting in a narrow defeat.
The International Skating Union (ISU) stood by the judges. They said that variations in scores are common and that they trust the fairness of the system. Chock, however, expressed concerns about the transparency of judging. She believes that viewers should better understand how scores are determined. In an interview, she emphasized that it’s vital for judges to be reviewed to ensure a level playing field for all competitors.
Chock and Bates, who were only 0.46 points behind heading into the free dance, felt they gave their all. They hinted at possibly appealing the decision, stressing that fairness in judging is crucial. Skating is subjective, but consistent reviews could help maintain integrity in the sport.
This isn’t the first time scoring controversies have stirred debate in figure skating. Discussions about judging transparency have been ongoing since the 2002 Winter Olympics, where a scandal shook the sport. Many believe a more objective method is needed to alleviate confusion surrounding scoring.
Furthermore, public reaction was swift. By the end of the week, over 14,000 people signed a petition on Change.org urging the ISU and IOC to investigate the latest scoring issues.
The push for reform highlights a growing demand among fans and athletes alike for a clearer, more consistent judging system in figure skating. With the excitement of the Olympics comes the responsibility to ensure that every athlete’s hard work is evaluated fairly.
For more information on figure skating scoring controversies, visit the official International Skating Union.
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